BAY-HOKOU GORILLAS

The western gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) are a endangered species, especially because of the destruction of their habitat and the severe poaching of which they are victims. Thus, the Dzanga-Sangha project aims to protect them in a delimited area while contributing to rural development: local communities, especially Pygmy Baaka, are associated with activities for the rational operation of the forest. The Gorilla Tracking Program has been designed to generate revenues that contribute to conservation and sustainable development costs, but also to provide a unique experience for visitors. Since 2002, researchers and Pygmies Baaka have worked with a "silvery silvery" gorilla group, called "makumba" ("run" in baaka language). Wildlife observation is never easy, and the tracking of gorillas is merit: Walk through the forest, locate défécations or gorilla nests, avoid colonnes ants columns, etc. and, above all, have enough leg to follow your pygmy tracker, because you need to know that a Baaka walks fast, very fast. A single word (repeated twice) can then retain it: " Yéké yéké ", or" softly, softly "! The ability of these dogs to interpret signs of the presence or passage of gorillas inspires respect. Without their perfect knowledge of the forest, it would be difficult to observe the gorillas in their place of tropical predilection: the corners where vegetation is dense and tight. The tracking lasts close to 2 or 3 hours, a calm period that allows for an overview of the daily life of these animals, while remaining at reasonable distance (metres), equipped with binoculars: The male just finished his nap, the little climb to the tree and plays, one of the females eats wild berries, the male autosatisfait, the group moves… According to the baaka acetates, the gorillas were very scared at the beginning, constantly startled. What is normal, when we know that the only humans they have met so far have sought to kill them. Not to mention wild animals, especially leopards and panthers, many in the corner, who attack them regularly and capture their offspring. But rest assured: it is never safer in the forest than with a Pygmy. The habituation process is conducted in the following stages: 1) Fear, 2) Aggression, 3) Curiosity (when you find it, it bark but don't escape anymore), 4) Esquive (it rises, hides, barking, turns the back), 5) Ignorance. Scientists are not trying to go beyond step 5 or enter into physical contact with gorillas. The reason? In two words: Ebola virus (some researchers think that bats are the reservoir of the virus, chimpanzees and gorillas being carriers). A gorilla travels about 2 km a day, occupying a vital space of 15 to 20 km ². On the Réserve-Sangha reserve, the gorilla population is estimated at 3  000/5  000 head. Although poaching has decreased slightly, it remains difficult to control due to the food problems experienced by Bayanga since the closure of the forest society: people need to eat. After years of awareness-raising, the reasons for poaching appear to be more social than commercial, with the latter almost no longer selling the animal or its offspring. The Campement-Hokou campsite is located 32 km from Bayanga, in the heart of the tropical forest. Take 1 hour of journey, depending on the condition of the vehicle and the track (rain, fallen trees…). Take a machete to cut procedurally. Usually, the guide or tracker, which must accompany (get to the reception centre), always takes one with him.